The 54th Annual Kansas Artists Craftsmen Association Conference will be held at Ottawa, Kansas -
November 15-16, 2019.
Registration is LIVE!
Conference Registration- follow the link below, or copy and paste to your browser:
https://events.eventzilla.net/e/kaca-2019-2138760371
Accommodations:
The Surestay by Best Western and Ottawa Days Inn have rooms blocked for KACA.
Surestay: 785-242-2224
Days Inn: 785-521-3198
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Scroll down for information on workshops at KACA 2019, and the conference schedule.
Jessica Belangee
Oil Paint & Collage: A Material Exploration
In this workshop we will be utilizing the language of assemblage within the context of oil
painting. The collage material used can influence the your stylistic choices in painting, or vice
versa; both are dependent on the creator. A dialogue between application of collage and paint
is a crucial point in this workshop. Intermixing impasto, mark making, layering, and color will be
a few focal points to think about. The materials, such as painting on layered tracing paper or
using patterned flat collage, can also decide opacity and translucency. This is a heavily process
based procedure; we will be utilizing Galkyd/Liquin and Oil Paint to adhere to collage and
integrate it into the picture plane. Think about what you want to convey with your paint and
assemblage, whether it be metaphorical or literal.
Workshop Participants should bring:
Oil Paints (some will be on hand)
Various brushes
Scraps to collage with
Optional Supplies:
Cold Wax Medium
Nitrile Gloves
Steven Boese
A Scientific and Artistic Introduction to Steam-Bending of Wood
Steam bending of wood is a very old technique linked to commerce, craft and art. Historic
applications tended to the functionality of design, but steam bending allows for tremendous
enrichment and embellishment of design to the point where the bent product is the focus. We
will discuss relevant wood anatomy and selection of material. Examples will be given of several
start-up options. Participants should provide their own safety glasses and bring heavy leather
work gloves if you have them. Each participant will create a longitudinally twisted strip and
contribute to a group project.
Mark and Bambi Freeman
Functional Pottery and Decorative Vessels
Ceramics has held long-standing traditions and techniques for centuries. Mark and Bambi Freeman
haven't been doing ceramics for centuries...not even close. But they do have a few tricks up their sleeves
and they are willing to share. Mark is primarily a functional potter and will be demonstrating advanced
wheel throwing techniques. Bambi is a ceramic artist who is a painter at heart and will be demoing
underglaze decorating on vessels. This captivating couple will demo in tandem so be sure to bring a
sketchbook and a few questions. There may even be a chance to participate in a KACA community
project!
Karen McAdoo
Weaving By Hand: Learning Cardboard loom weaving
Weaving is a craft as old as the human race. Knowing how to plait, knot, weave, or braid
bendable plant fibers, sticks, animal hair and fur, strings has helped humans throughout history
construct shelters, baskets, roofs, hangings, and clothing.
The craft of hand-weaving has become popular again. Simple flat looms are easy to manipulate,
easy to take with you, and easy to learn on—as well as being quite inexpensive. With a flat
loom such as a cardboard loom, a person can make scarves, belts, wraps, bags, placemats of all
types, and wall hangings. You are limited only by your imagination and the size of the
cardboard!
For this workshop: 1) you will receive a cardboard loom to which you will then add the warp
threads, choosing from the variety of yarns or strings in the room. We do have a big bin of “left
overs” that has many types and colors of yarns, that you may use as you wish. 2) You will also
have a large plastic “needle” to use, helping to weave the weft yarns through the warp cords. 3)
If there is a specific color or type of yarn that you want to bring to use—that would be great!
The only type that is not practical for this would be the really thick yarns. Please stick with a
more standard four strand worsted yarn, as the cardboard looms aren’t made for the heavier
yarns. You could also use fabric strips in cardboard looms, for larger projects such as bags or
mats.
Jennifer Mettlen Nolan
Lampworking
The glass beadmaking craft has been around for centuries. Ancient bead makers heated glass
over oil-burning lamps, deriving the term "Lampwork." We will be using completely modern
technology, but the technique remains the same Using a “Hot Head” torch and MAPP gas, we
will heat the Morretti Glass rods to their melting point at 1600 degrees. Once pliable, we will
wrap it around a coated mandrel to form the bead. Then a combination of decorating
techniques will be used including dots, frit and textures. Once complete, the bead on its
mandrel is put in a kiln to anneal, to strengthen and cool over several hours. Cleaned beads can
then be used to create one of kind handmade jewelry or glass additions to ceramic sculptures,
fiber arts or any other conceivable application.
Cost for this class is $10. Class size limit 10 students.
Supplies:
Lampworking Kit: You can purchase your own to keep OR you can borrow at kit from me for the
class. (Please let me know at least a week prior to the conference if you will be borrowing a kit)
1 MAPP Gas tank. These are YELLOW 1 gallon size and can be found at most hardware stores.
2 metal soup cans
1 pair of needle nose pliers
1 bottle of nail polish in your favorite color to mark your bead mandrels
If you want to purchase your own kit, I recommend this kit PLUS the specialty safety glasses
required for this type of glasswork. Regular safety glasses or welding glasses will NOT be the
right type of protection you need.
Kit: https://www.devardiglass.com/starterkits.htm
PT-1 Glass Didymium Lenses https://www.devardiglass.com/glasses.htm
Please join the facebook group KACA 2019 Lampwork Workshop for more information and for
support after the class is over.
KACA 2019 Schedule
Friday, November 15 th
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: Registration
Schendel Conference Center at Ottawa University
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Workshops: Session 1
Ottawa University campus and Carnegie Cultural Center
Noon – 1:00: Lunch
Schendel Conference Center at Ottawa University. Bid on silent auction items.
1:00 – 1:45: Talk by Mark and Bambi Freeman
Schendel Conference Center at Ottawa University
2:00 – 4:30: Workshops: Session 2
Ottawa University campus and Carnegie Cultural Center
4:30 – 6:30 Break. Bid on silent auction items.
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Material Mastery Exhibition Reception
Carnegie Cultural Center
7:00 p.m. Gallery talk with juror Jessica Belangee
Carnegie Cultural Center
Saturday, November 16 th
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Workshops: Session 3
Ottawa University campus and Carnegie Cultural Center
Noon – 1:00: Lunch. Last chance to bid on silent auction items.
Schendel Conference Center at Ottawa University
1:00 – 2:30: KACA Board meeting.
Schendel Conference Center at Ottawa University
3:00 – 4:00: Pick up artworks at Carnegie Cultural Center from Material Mastery Exhibition.